Careers360 Logo
Search Colleges, Exams, Schools & more
ask-icon
share
    CAT 2026 Notification OUT: Fee Up, Conducting IIM Update; What Changed and What Stayed Exactly

    CAT 2026 Notification OUT: Fee Up, Conducting IIM Update; What Changed and What Stayed Exactly

    #CAT
    Gursimran KaurUpdated on 25 Jul 2026, 06:41 PM IST

    The official CAT 2026 notification has been released on July 25, 2026. The CAT 2026 conducting IIM has not been announced yet on the website. The CAT 2026 notification has brought clarity for the candidates. The latest notification suggests a familiar framework for the CAT 2026 exam. The major updates are limited to administrative aspects such as the CAT 2026 application fee (Rs. 2700 for GEN) and the official CAT 2026 registration schedule. While the exam pattern, syllabus, eligibility criteria, marking scheme, and reservation policy remain unchanged. Check out what changed and what has remained the same for the CAT 2026 exam to be held on November 29, 2026.

    This Story also Contains

    1. CAT 2026 Notification Released: CAT exam Highlights
    2. CAT 2026 Exam Notification Out: What has Changed?
    3. CAT 2026 Notification Released: What Remained Unchanged?
    4. CAT Exam Conducted by IIM Indore: A Comparison
    CAT 2026 Notification OUT: Fee Up, Conducting IIM Update; What Changed and What Stayed Exactly
    CAT 2026 Notification

    CAT 2026 Notification Released: CAT exam Highlights

    The CAT 2026 notification is out. Aspirants preparing for the most important MBA entrance exam can register from August 03, 2026, at the official website. Here are some of the key highlights of the CAT 2026 exam.

    CAT 2026 Particulars

    CAT 2026 Details

    CAT 2026 Notification Status

    Released

    CAT Conducting Institute

    Not Announced

    CAT 2026 Exam Date

    November 29, 2026 (Sunday)

    Exam Mode for CAT

    Computer-Based Test (CBT)

    Number of Sessions

    3 (Morning, Afternoon & Evening)

    CAT 2026 Registration Start Date

    August 03, 2026 (Monday)

    Last Date for CAT 2026 Registration

    September 15, 2026

    CAT 2026 Application Fee

    Rs. 2700 - GEN, OBC, EWS
    Rs. 1350 - SC, ST, PwD

    CAT 2026 Admit Card

    Second week of November 2026

    CAT 2026 Result Release

    January 2027

    Total Sections in CAT 2026 Exam

    3 (VARC, DILR, QA)

    Exam Duration

    120 Minutes (40 minutes per section)

    Question Type

    MCQs & TITA (Type In The Answer)

    CAT 2026 Marking Scheme

    +3 for Correct, -1 for Incorrect MCQs, No Negative Marking for TITA Questions

    Eligibility for the CAT 2026 exam

    Bachelor's degree with minimum 50% (general) qualifying marks; final-year students can apply

    Reservation policy

    As per Government of India norms

    CAT 2026 Accepting Institutes

    22 IIMs and 1,300+ MBA colleges

    CAT 2026 Exam Notification Out: What has Changed?

    Candidates who wish to appear for the CAT 2026 exam on November 29, 2026, can see what changes have been made to the CAT 2026 exam in comparison to last year.

    CAT 2026 Application Fee

    The biggest change seen every year is the CAT application fee. The CAT 2026 application fee has been increased by Rs. 100 for the GEN, OBC, and EWS candidates. For the reserved category candidates, such as SC, ST, and PwD students, the increase will be Rs. 50.
    After the increase, the CAT 2026 application fee is Rs. 2700 for GEN, OBC, and EWS, and Rs. 1350 for SC, ST, and PwD candidates.

    Conducting IIM

    A key update in CAT 2026 is the change in the conducting institute. After IIM Kozhikode conducted CAT 2025, the responsibility was expected to be given to IIM Indore, which last conducted the CAT exam in 2020, but the conducting IIM for CAT 2026 has not been announced yet. While the conducting IIM oversees the examination process, registration, and question paper, aspirants should note that a change in the conducting institute does not necessarily mean a change in all major aspects of the exam.

    Difficulty level

    While the notification does not mention any change in the syllabus or exam pattern, candidates can expect some changes in the difficulty level of the exam. If IIM Indore follows a similar philosophy in CAT 2026, aspirants should prepare for a paper that rewards accuracy, conceptual clarity, and time management rather than speed alone.If the CAT 2026 is conducted by IIM Indore, it may make the CAT 2026 exam extremely difficult, but it is expected to be strategically challenging for the aspirants.

    CAT 2026 Notification Released: What Remained Unchanged?

    CAT 2026 notification has been released by the authorities, containing important information regarding the CAT 2026 exam. Here, candidates can check what aspects of the CAT 2026 exam have remained unchanged as per the CAT 2026 notification.

    CAT 2026 Exam pattern

    The CAT 2026 exam pattern remains exactly the same as the previous edition. The exam will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode in three slots, with a total duration of 120 minutes. Candidates will have 40 minutes for each section and will not be allowed to switch between sections during the exam. The three sections continue to be:

    • Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

    • Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

    • Quantitative Ability (QA

    Eligibility Criteria For CAT 2026 Exam

    The eligibility criteria for the CAT 2026 exam are the same as last year. Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC, ST, and PwD candidates). Final-year students or candidates who are awaiting results can also apply for the CAT 2026 exam, given they fulfill other eligibility criteria and admission requirements at the time.

    CAT 2026 Marking Scheme

    As per the CAT 2026 notification released on July 25, 2026, the CAT 2026 marking scheme has also remained unchanged. The CAT 2026 exam will follow the same marking scheme:

    • +3 marks for each correct answer

    • -1 for incorrect or unanswered questions

    • No negative marking for TITA questions.

    Amity University-Noida MBA Admissions 2026

    Ranked among top 10 B-Schools in India by multiple publications | Top Recruiters-Google, MicKinsey, Amazon, BCG & many more.

    Apply
    UPES MBA Admissions 2026

    Last Date to Apply: 31st July | Ranked #36 amongst institutions in Management by NIRF | 100% Placement

    Apply

    Reservation policy

    The CAT 2026 exam and admission will follow the same reservation policy as laid out by the Government of India.

    Syllabus

    Based on the official CAT 2026 notification released, the CAT 2026 exam syllabus remains unchanged. While there is no fixed CAT exam syllabus, the CAT 2026 notification has not specified any additions and/or deletions. The CAT 2026 exam will continue to assess candidates based on their abilities in the core sections of:

    • Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

    • Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

    • Quantitative Ability (QA)

    Past 10 years CAT Question Papers with Solutions
    Ace CAT with confidence! Download the Past 10 Years' CAT Question Papers with detailed answers to understand exam trends, improve accuracy, and maximize your percentile.
    Download Ebook

    Recommended eBooks

    Related eBooks and Sample Papers

    Latest

    View all Ebooks

    https://bschool.careers360.com/download/ebooks-and-sample-papershttps://bschool.careers360.com/download/ebooks-and-sample-papershttps://bschool.careers360.com/download/ebooks-and-sample-papershttps://bschool.careers360.com/download/ebooks-and-sample-papers

    CAT Exam Conducted by IIM Indore: A Comparison

    Here are some of the key factors that need to be looked at when comparing the CAT 2020 exam with the CAT 2026 exam, with IIM Indore likely being the conducting body for both.

    CAT 2020 Exam

    CAT 2026 Exam (expected)

    Balanced paper

    Moderate overall difficulty

    DILR was the key differentiator

    DILR likely to remain the toughest section

    RC dominated VARC

    Reading-intensive VARC expected

    Arithmetic-heavy Quant

    Similar topic distribution likely

    Accuracy mattered more than attempts

    Smart question selection will be crucial

    120-minute format

    No change

    Articles
    Related Stories
    |
    Upcoming Bschool Exams
    Certifications By Top Providers
    Online MBA
    Via Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar
    Corporate Tax Planning
    Via Netaji Subhash Open University, Kolkata
    Strategic Management
    Via Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
    Online MBA Business Analytics
    Via Centre for Distance and Online Education, Anna University, Chennai
    Digital Marketing
    Via Panjab University, Chandigarh
    Online MBA
    Via Centre for Distance and Online Education, Anna University, Chennai
    Explore Top Universities Across Globe
    University of Essex, Colchester
    Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3SQ
    Northumbria University, Newcastle City Campus
    Sutherland Building, Northumberland Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 8ST
    Oxford Brookes University, Oxford
    Headington Campus Oxford OX3 0BP UK
    Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff
    Llandaff Campus, Western Avenue, Cardiff, CF5 2YB
    University of Reading, Reading
    Whiteknights PO Box 217 Reading Berkshire RG6 6AH
    Bournemouth University, Bournemouth
    Fern Barrow, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5BB, United Kingdom

    Popular Courses and Specializations

    Popular Degrees

    Popular Branches

    List of colleges accepting CAT

    Questions related to CAT

    On Question asked by student community

    Have a question related to CAT ?
    Is there any seat available for BA LLB course.. I secured 82nd rank (Caste :SC)in CAT (common entrance test)please let me know about it asap

    Hello Dear Student,
    An SC rank of 82 in a Common Entrance Test (CET) is highly competitive and typically guarantees admission into top-tier state universities, central universities, or highly-ranked private institutions. Whether a specific seat is currently available depends directly on the exact university's counselling schedule. Many institutes require you

    Read Complete Answer
    S
    Samyak Jain
    3 Jul'26
    what percentile should a oc candidate must get in cat who is having 95%+ in academics?

    If by OC you mean Open Category/General category in India, and you have 95%+ throughout your academics (Class 10, Class 12, and graduation) , then your CAT percentile target depends on the B-schools you're aiming for.

    Here's a general guideline:

    Target B-school Safe CAT Percentile (General Category)
    Indian Institute of
    Read Complete Answer
    A
    Ananya Hira
    29 Jun'26
    Currently pursuing CSE at a low-tier IIIT but not particularly interested in coding. I may get B.Arch, Civil, and B.Pharm at Jadavpur University this year. I'm leaning towards B.Arch because of possible MBA diversity benefits and the flexibility to prepare for CAT. Would switching be a smart move ?

    Hello Dear Student,

    Low-Tier IIIT CSE vs Jadavpur University B.Arch (for MBA Aspirants)

    If your primary goal is to pursue an MBA later, switching from CSE at a lower-tier IIIT to B.Arch at Jadavpur University solely for academic diversity is generally not the best strategy.

    B.Arch and MBA Preparation

    • B.Arch
    Read Complete Answer
    S
    Samyak Jain
    19 Jun'26
    I currently meet all the eligibility criteria for an EWS for year 2025-26 but I will start earning in next month...so in CAT I am eligible for EWS and what after next year...will the college ask me for nee certificate if yes will my seat will be rejected...

    Hello Dear Student,

    EWS eligibility for CAT 2025-26 hinges on current financial records, but a renewed certificate is required for final IIM admissions. If future income exceeds the 8 lakh threshold, candidates will likely lose EWS status and be reclassified to the General category rather than facing seat cancellation.

    Hope

    Read Complete Answer
    S
    Samyak Jain
    17 Jun'26
    So I got RT(repeat theory) in maths in class 12 but i am passed overall , and currently doing bca so am i eleigible for nimcet, cuet pg, and CAT?

    Hello Dear Student,

    If your Class 12 marksheet shows "Passed" overall and you are currently pursuing BCA, then you should generally be eligible for CAT, CUET PG, and NIMCET.

    • CAT: Eligibility is based on your bachelor's degree. A Class 12 RT in Maths usually does not affect CAT eligibility.
    • CUET
    Read Complete Answer
    S
    Samyak Jain
    2 Jun'26
    View all

    Popular CAT Questions

    Directions for question :

    M/s Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, one of the top four audit and accounting firms in the world with headquarters at London, UK, and with an operational presence in 153 countries, hires Management Trainees (MT) from all the premier management institutes of India thrice every year, in

    Read Complete Answer

    Directions for question:

    Two friends Moloy and Niloy passed out from the Purulia Institute of Science and Technology with B.Tech degrees in Mechanical Engineering, but even after a year placement was hard to find. So they decided to take the challenge head-on, came down to Kolkata, rented a garage space

    Read Complete Answer

    Directions for question :

    Six sticks of equal lengths were kept in the vertical position in an empty flower-vase, to be arranged at the six corners of a regular hexagon. The two ends of each of the sticks were of different colours. 

    The top ends of the sticks were one

    Read Complete Answer

    Directions for question:

    Two friends Moloy and Niloy passed out from the Purulia Institute of Science and Technology with B.Tech degrees in Mechanical Engineering, but even after a year placement was hard to find. So they decided to take the challenge head-on, came down to Kolkata, rented a garage space

    Read Complete Answer

    Directions for question:

    Two friends Moloy and Niloy passed out from the Purulia Institute of Science and Technology with B.Tech degrees in Mechanical Engineering, but even after a year placement was hard to find. So they decided to take the challenge head-on, came down to Kolkata, rented a garage space

    Read Complete Answer

    Directions for question:

    Two friends Moloy and Niloy passed out from the Purulia Institute of Science and Technology with B.Tech degrees in Mechanical Engineering, but even after a year placement was hard to find. So they decided to take the challenge head-on, came down to Kolkata, rented a garage space

    Read Complete Answer

    Directions for question:

    Two friends Moloy and Niloy passed out from the Purulia Institute of Science and Technology with B.Tech degrees in Mechanical Engineering, but even after a year placement was hard to find. So they decided to take the challenge head-on, came down to Kolkata, rented a garage space

    Read Complete Answer

    Directions for question:

    Two friends Moloy and Niloy passed out from the Purulia Institute of Science and Technology with B.Tech degrees in Mechanical Engineering, but even after a year placement was hard to find. So they decided to take the challenge head-on, came down to Kolkata, rented a garage space

    Read Complete Answer

    Directions for question:

    The bar-graph given below shows the foreign exchange reserves of Nepal (in million Rupees) from 2014 to 2021. Answer the following questions based on the graph :

    Question:

    What was the percentage increase (rounded to the nearest integer, if deemed necessary) in the foreign exchange reserves in

    Read Complete Answer

    Directions for question:

    The Jadavpur University’s Prince Anwar Shah Road hostel consists of two large separate buildings, one for the ladies and the other for the gents, while having a common kitchen and dining hall. It is the hostel of the CS and the EEC department of engineering students of

    Read Complete Answer

    Study Resources, Applications and Opportunities

    Career Launcher - CAT Open Mock Test
    Enquire

    Get Real CAT-like Experience | Attend Mock Test on 8th & 9th August 2026 | Timings: 8:30 AM | 12:30 PM | 4:30 PM

    Career Launcher Race To 99%ile In CAT 2026
    Enquire

    13-hour master class to help you score 99+ percentile in CAT 2026

    Mahindra University | Admissions 2026
    Apply

    4000+ Placements to date | 6000+ Students | Advanced applied research, patents, and partnerships

    XAT- Xavier Aptitude Test 2027
    Apply

    75+ years of legacy | #1 Entrance Exam | Score accepted by 250+ BSchools

    Integral University MBA Admissions 2026
    Apply

    NAAC A+ Accredited | Highest CTC 45 LPA | Scholarships Available

    IBSAT 2026-ICFAI Business School MBA/PGPM 2027
    Apply

    NAAC A++ Grade | AACSB Accredited | 75,000+ Alumni

    View all Application Forms

    CAT Notifications

    Latest updates

    Explore Career Options

    By Industry
    Marketing Director

    A career as Marketing Director is also known as a marketing expert who is responsible for the overall marketing aspect of the company. He or she oversees plans and develops the company's budget. The marketing Director collaborates with the business team to plan and develop the marketing and branding strategies for the company's products or services. 

    4 Jobs Available
    Business Development Executive

    A Business Development Executive identifies and pursues new business opportunities to drive company growth. They generate leads, build client relationships, develop sales strategies, and analyse market trends. Collaborating with internal teams, they aim to meet sales targets. With experience, they can advance to managerial roles, playing a key role in expanding the company’s market presence and revenue.

    3 Jobs Available
    Content Marketing Specialist

    Content Marketing Specialists are also known as Content Specialists. They are responsible for crafting content, editing and developing it to meet the requirements of digital marketing campaigns. To ensure that the material created is consistent with the overall aims of a digital marketing campaign, content marketing specialists work closely with SEO and digital marketing professionals.

    3 Jobs Available
    Sales Manager

    A Sales Manager leads a sales team to meet targets, formulates strategies, analyses performance, and monitors market trends. They typically hold a degree in management or related fields, with an MBA offering added value. The role often demands over 40 hours a week. Strong leadership, planning, and analytical skills are essential for success in this career.

    2 Jobs Available
    Marketing Manager

    A marketing manager is a person who oversees a company or product marketing. He or she can be in charge of multiple programmes or goods or can be in charge of one product. He or she is enthusiastic, organised, and very diligent in meeting financial constraints. He or she works with other team members to produce advertising campaigns and decides if a new product or service is marketable. 

    A Marketing manager plans and executes marketing initiatives to create demand for goods and services and increase consumer awareness of them. A marketing manager prevents unauthorised statements and informs the public that the business is doing everything to investigate and fix the line of products. Students can pursue an MBA in Marketing Management courses to become marketing managers.

    2 Jobs Available
    SEO Analyst

    An SEO Analyst is a web professional who is proficient in the implementation of SEO strategies to target more keywords to improve the reach of the content on search engines. He or she provides support to acquire the goals and success of the client’s campaigns. 

    2 Jobs Available
    Digital Marketing Executive

    Digital marketing is growing, diverse, and is covering a wide variety of career paths. Each job function aids in the development of effective digital marketing strategies and techniques. The aims and objectives of the individuals who opt for a career as a digital marketing executive are similar to those of a marketing professional: to build brand awareness, promote company services or products, and increase conversions. Individuals who opt for a career as Digital Marketing Executives, unlike traditional marketing companies, communicate effectively through suitable technology platforms.

    2 Jobs Available
    Business Analyst

    Individuals who opt for a career as a business analyst look at how a company operates. He or she conducts research and analyses data to improve his or her knowledge about the company. This is required so that an individual can suggest the company strategies for improving their operations and processes.

    In a business analyst  job role a lot of analysis is done, things are learned from past mistakes and the successful strategies are enhanced further. A business analyst goes through real-world data in order to provide the most feasible solutions to an organisation. Students can pursue Business Analytics to become Business Analysts. 

    2 Jobs Available

    Never miss CAT update

    Get timely CAT updates directly to your inbox. Stay informed!